Endure

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Matthew 24:13 KJV

Jesus spoke these words to encourage endurance. We need some endurance.  What does it mean to endure? The definition of endure from dictionary.com says:

to hold out against; sustain without impairment or yielding; undergo

to bear without resistance or with patience; tolerate

to admit of; allow; bear

to continue to exist; last

to support adverse force or influence of any kind; suffer without yielding; suffer patiently

to have or gain continued or lasting acknowledgment or recognition, as of worth, merit or greatness

 I think of runners when I think of endurance.  Especially, long distance runners. To be able to run for long distances, a runner must build up endurance.  This is accomplished through consistent, frequent training. Runners start with shorter distances  then build  to longer and longer runs. This isn’t accomplished in a day or even in a week. It takes time. When they finally reach the ability to endure a race like a marathon, they have many days and hours of training behind them.  I have watched runners in marathons. Even some of the most prepared  still face challenges.  Those who cross that finish line have pushed themselves through hardships. Some have blisters and bleeding,  and some may have even fallen and have bruises. They pushed past exhaustion, fatigue, mental tiredness, and many other things to finish the race.  The days and hours of training meant dedication, perseverance, and commitment. Paul explained spiritual endurance as a race as well

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:3‭-‬8 KJV‬

Paul ran his race and crossed the finish line. He did not quit or give up. He endured many hardships and trials. We need to develop endurance in our spiritual walk. We build up spiritual endurance through pushing forward through trials and leaning on God’s strength when we do not have any strength in ourselves.  Jesus wants us to endure. Endurance through trials, hardships and even through good times will grow as we practice turning to God through prayer, Bible study, and faith in Him.  As we learn to rely on Him in one situation, we can apply that lesson of faith to the next mountain. We can resist the next temptation, or pray through the next worry. We can pursue God while we walk in His will and learn He never leaves us or forsake us.  We grow deeper roots, stronger foundations, and reach higher in faith. We grow and develop more endurance. This takes commitment to God.  We cannot be swayed or distracted.  A runner that gets his eye off the finish line, will become distracted , worn down, or swayed to quit.  

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;  So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:  Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

2 Thessalonians 1:3‭-‬5 KJV‬

We cannot take our eyes off the finish line  we must be  steadfast in faith to endure to the end.  We must be rooted and grounded (Ephesians 3:17). We must not allow our own frailty, our humanity, to take over and tell us we cannot finish, that we are too weak or not good enough. We must push past the fear, past unbelief, and past temptation.  We must pray our way through, speak His word, hide it in our hearts to carry us through the hard times, and spend as much time as we can gaining strength from the One who called us to run the race God is rooting for us to win. He will give us an advantage when we seek Him and trust in Him.  We cannot quit.  We will endure until the end and like Paul, we will be able to proclaim, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.”